The Nativity
c. 1450
Petrus Christus frames this holy scene inside a magnificent stone archway that looks so real you might try to walk through it. Inside this 'sculpted' niche, the traditional manger scene gets a gritty makeover: Mary and Joseph stand in a dilapidated, roofless stable with baby Jesus lying on the bare dirt floor. Look closely at the pillars holding up the arch—you'll see naked figures of Adam and Eve, hinting that this birth is the solution to humanity's original sin. It's a brilliant mix of fake sculpture and painting, typical of the Northern Renaissance's love for intricate detail and hidden symbolism.
- Technique
- Oil on panel
Location: National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
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